REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 15

Uncanny X-Men Issue 15 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Gail Simone, with art by David Marquez, colors by Matthew Wilson and letters by Clayton Cowles.

The Outliers go further into the Dark Artery, drawn by whispering souls, as the older X-Men finally realize they’re gone. Uncanny X-Men Issue 15, part three of the “Dark Artery” arc, merges and connects the three stories. The story of Henrietta Benjamin in the past and the two teams in the present are being drawn towards Penumbra, a city of the dead.

The mystery is enthralling and engrossing. It taps into a dark underbelly that Simone has laced into Uncanny X-Men. The horror elements of the series, which had always crept in, turn black in Uncanny X-Men Issue 15. It faces death head-on with a terrifying creature within.

It’s a haunting plot with a slow but constant pace. Although the heroes can walk away, it never feels like they will. The kids are being dragged towards the Penumbra out of a sense of protecting their own. The older, experienced X-Men are coming to get them, but the question becomes whether they’ll get there in time. Simone has done an excellent job of putting the younger heroes in situations where they have to make decisions that could determine whether they live or die.

The characters are gorgeously written—all of them. The focus of the issue is Deathdream. His connection to the dead is dragging him towards the Penumbra. He is totally comfortable with what this being wants with him, even if it means he never sees them again. His bleak, fatalistic outlook on life is harrowing and extremely sad. What Deathdream has developed, however, is a family.

The Outliers have developed a “us vs. them” mentality. They will refuse to let one of their own disappear, even if they want to. Ransom is an incredible character. He is brave, caring, and protective, the group’s true alpha and big brother. Jitter and Calico are also wonderful characters. Even though they’re terrified, their bravery shines through. As does their hearts and kindness. Jitter’s trying to forge a connection with Man-Thing becomes much more important later in Uncanny X-Men Issue 15, displaying how sweet and caring she is.

The other main character in this arc is Lady Henrietta, the woman featured in both the flashback story and now greeting the Outliers before they enter the Penumbra. She has been fascinating to follow because of the coolest questions surrounding her. Uncanny X-Men Issue 15 simultaneously shows many moments of her life, which is a mesmerizing approach.

The art is simply flawless. The variation between Haven House, which the X-Men have called home since the start of the series, and the Dark Artery leading to the Penumbra is striking. One is pure comfort and safety, whilst the other is rough and macabre. So far, all we have seen is the journey, but Uncanny X-Men Issue 15 reveals both the city of the undead and the god that guards it. Both are haunting and terrifying, with extraordinary details. There is an Eldritch quality to the being, ancient and unfeeling.

Lady Henrietta is sinister yet elegant, having evolved into something different from her appearance a century ago. There is an air of Lady Dimitrescu to her, with the wide-brimmed hat. All the characters receive new costumes to fit in with the Penumbra. At first, it’s just the Outliers in sleek outfits, but eventually the entire X-Men team are transformed. These designs are phenomenal and exciting.

The colors are rapidly drained, removing light and safety from the issue. When this has happened before, it can be argued that the vibrancy of the X-Men’s uniforms has provided the brightness. That isn’t the case in Uncanny X-Men Issue 15. Every costume is jet black, and the only lighting is red. This makes the whole area hostile and unsettling. The lettering is fantastic. Deathdream has a reverse colour scheme for his word balloons, white text on a black background. In a comic that is heavy with the colour black, it shows that he might belong there after all.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 15 opens up a new place for lost souls to go. The horror elements of this series have always been present, right from the start, as the Hag appeared. But in this chapter, the characters get immersed in a terrifying, unsettling realm. It’s not just dipping its toe in horror; their whole bodies have sunk into it. A whole new mutant mythology has emerged.

What holds the heroes together is the indescribable heart and soul that Simone has created within the comic, which all of the X-Men are connected to. Haven House has felt like exactly that, a haven. It’s a campfire for vulnerable mutants to huddle around and be protected from the hostile world outside, where wolves linger. But there is something even more dangerous on its doorstep.

Uncanny X-Men Issue 15 is available where comics are sold.